State crowns within reach

Every player on every team shares at least one common goal: to win a state championship.

It’s a feat every prep athlete dreams of achieving, but its one only a select few actually ever obtain.
Unless you’re an athlete at one of our three East County schools.

Yes, thanks to outstanding play at Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and The Out-of-Door Academy, it is a real possibility that all three could bring state championships to our community this spring.

The East County’s race toward multiple state championships began earlier this week in the state tennis tournament. It was the first time all three East County high schools were represented in the tournament at the same time.

Leading the charge was ODA sophomore Caroline Dailey (see story at right), who was vying for her third consecutive Class 1A individual singles state championship. As of press time Tuesday, Dailey had advanced to the finals.

Across the court, Braden River’s Marie Babayan and Lakewood’s Cari Berry and Samantha Aiezza were competing in the Class 3A tourbnament.

Finally, the Lakewood boys team began its second straight tournament run April 18, and after the first day of competition, the Mustangs sat tied for third with five points. Twins Arsav and Arnav Mohanty and Christian and Robert Strong were scheduled to compete in the semifinals of doubles.

By week’s end, we could have conceivably crowned up to six individual and doubles state champions.

And that’s just tennis.

In the coming weeks, the Braden River, Lakewood and ODA softball, baseball and track teams also will vie for a spot in the regional tournament and beyond.

It still remains to be seen just how many East County state champions will be crowned this season. But based on the way they’ve been performing all season, I have a feeling it could be more than one.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]